Glen Korstrom
Northern News Services

NNSL (Jan 18/99) - Police have charged a long-time teacher and Inuvik resident with one count each of indecent assault on a teenage male, gross indecency and attempted buggery.

The alleged offenses took place between 1971 and 1978 when Dave Button, 52, was a teacher at Samuel Hearne school, as he was until he was charged. He has since been reassigned to an administrative role at the Beaufort Delta Education Council.

Button was also a boys' counsellor when the offenses took place, according to RCMP Cpl. Brian Pinder.

Pinder would not release the name of the complainant, saying it would come out in court. He did confirm the teen was a student at Samuel Hearne at the time.

The wide span between the dates when the offenses allegedly took place does not imply a continued relationship, Pinder says.

"Sometimes because of memory issues we will broaden the time frame in the information on a charge just to be sure we encompass the appropriate time," he says.

Pinder says the complainant was a teen during the time of all of the alleged incidents.

"The (Button) investigation commenced last year and it's been ongoing," Pinder says.

Only one complainant has been identified and is the subject of all three charges.

Police have issued and executed search warrants in the process of the investigation but those warrants have been restricted to Button's workplace, for attendance and employment records, and not his home.

As for any search of Button's home, Pinder says there is "none anticipated."

"Our investigation on this particular matter is complete now and it's just awaiting court," he says.

As for whether there are still any ongoing investigations involving former Grollier Hall staff, Pinder responds with a "no comment."

Pinder said no other teachers at Samuel Hearne school are being investigated for sexual offenses.

"It's a clear no on that."

The day after the charges were laid, Button, while walking holding hands with his wife, Myrna, said he felt "exhausted." But he did not want to comment further until court proceedings commenced.

Button will appear in territorial court in Inuvik Feb. 8.